Blue Jays make trade for catcher, cut ties with another player they just traded for

The Toronto Blue Jays are taking another angle to try and figure out the catcher position with Alejandro Kirk out injured.

They made a trade with the Texas Rangers on Friday for Willie MacIver.

The deal, announced by the teams, sends MacIver to the Blue Jays for cash considerations.

To make space on the 40-man roster, the Blue Jays designated Tyler Fitzgerald for assignment. Toronto had acquired Fitzgerald in a trade from the Giants earlier this season, but the DFA places him on waivers, where he can be claimed by another team.

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MacIver will report to Triple-A Buffalo, but he could be an option at some point.

The Blue Jays are currently relying on Tyler Heineman and Brandon Valenzuela to catch at the MLB level while Kirk is out.

MacIver is 29 years old and originally from Pleasant Hill, California.

The 6-foot-2 righty was originally a ninth-round pick by the Colorado Rockies in the 2018 MLB Draft out of the University of Washington.

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MacIver made it to the major leagues for the first time in 2025 with the Athletics. He played in 33 games and hit .186 with three home runs.

He has spent this season so far at Triple-A Round Rock, where he's batting just .170.

MacIver is a much better minor league hitter in his career -- .262 with a .788 OPS. Last season at Triple-A, he had a .967 OPS.

It's not clear if MacIver's bat will ever fully translate to the majors, but it makes sense for the Blue Jays to add another guy with MLB experience in case they need him.

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